News Summary
California law enforcement has intensified efforts against fentanyl dealers, filing 20 criminal cases, including several in Los Angeles County. The OD Justice Task Force, led by the DEA, aims to investigate fatal opioid poisonings and target those responsible for supplying fentanyl. With overdose deaths on the rise, the collaboration between local agencies and federal bodies is critical. Families of overdose victims are also pursuing legal action against social media platforms, highlighting concerns about enabling drug trafficking to minors amid the growing fentanyl crisis.
Los Angeles, CA – Law enforcement officials have launched a vigorous campaign against fentanyl dealers, filing 20 criminal cases in 2025, with four of those occurring within Los Angeles County. These cases involve individuals charged with selling fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pills that have resulted in at least one death. The ongoing efforts are spearheaded by the OD Justice Task Force, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This task force is dedicated to investigating fatal fentanyl poisonings and aims to identify those directly responsible for supplying fentanyl that has led to tragic outcomes.
The task force operates through collaborative efforts between DEA agents and local law enforcement agencies across seven counties in California’s Central District. Local authorities are often the first responders to overdose incidents, and the DEA has been proactively providing training sessions to these agencies to improve their evidence analysis capabilities, which will enhance the potential for federal prosecutions.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States experienced approximately 80,391 drug overdose deaths in 2024, with a significant majority attributed to fentanyl. Since the OD Justice program’s inception in 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a total of 163 defendants, with additional cases announced on May 15, 2025. Charges related to the distribution of fentanyl that results in a death entail a minimum federal prison sentence of 20 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
Some significant cases filed this year include:
– Michael McDevitt (43) from Simi Valley, charged in connection with a fentanyl distribution resulting in death in Ventura County in September 2021. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for June 10, 2025.
– Alexander Nihar Biswas (42) from Loma Linda, accused of distributing fentanyl that led to a death in San Bernardino County in January 2024. He has been in custody since March 10 and is set for trial on October 20.
– Michel Joseph Abdallah (21) of Laguna Niguel is charged in connection with fentanyl overdose deaths of two individuals in 2023 and is awaiting arraignment on federal charges.
– Jesus Erick Casillas (56) of Lancaster faces charges related to distributing fentanyl linked to a death in Los Angeles County in January 2024. He is pleading not guilty with a trial scheduled for October 26.
– Macey Delynn Putnam (31) from Michigan is connected to a fentanyl death in Los Angeles County on July 24, 2024, and is currently free on bond awaiting trial on November 18.
– Myles Ray Miller (27) of Fullerton faces charges related to fentanyl distribution leading to a death in March 2022; the investigation is still ongoing.
– Kevin Lopez (24) and others from Rancho Cucamonga have been charged with distributing fentanyl leading to a death of a person under 21, with a trial set for June 23.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, as indicated by legal standards.
In a related development, families of overdose victims are taking legal action against Snap, alleging that the app facilitates the sale of drugs to minors, thus contributing to an increase in fentanyl-related deaths. While Snap has denied these allegations, asserting that it removes millions of drug-related posts and blocks searches for drug-related terms, the growing scrutiny over social media platforms’ roles in drug trafficking and addiction, particularly among youth populations, continues to escalate.
The lawsuits against Snap highlight critical concerns regarding the platform’s design and its potential for enabling drug dealers to connect with minors. Legal accountability for social media platforms might significantly impact the defenses employed by technology companies in similar cases. Recently, a California judge permitted wrongful death lawsuits against Snap to move forward, raising questions about the platform’s safety protocols and design effectiveness in preventing misuse.
As authorities intensify their crackdown on fentanyl distribution networks, the collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders is pivotal in combating the fentanyl crisis that has claimed countless lives across the nation. The impact of these legal proceedings and social dynamics will undoubtedly unfold in the coming months as more cases are brought to trial and as public awareness surrounding fentanyl and its dangers continues to grow.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Snap Lawsuit Over Fentanyl Death of Teens
- Wikipedia: Fentanyl
- ABC 7: LAUSD Seeks Dismissal of Fentanyl Overdose Lawsuit
- Google Search: Fentanyl Overdose Lawsuit
- KTLA: Family Files Lawsuit After Toddler Dies from Fentanyl
- Google Scholar: Fentanyl Lawsuits
- Patch: LAUSD Denied Dismissal in Student Fentanyl Overdose Suit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fentanyl
- ABC 7: Riverside Man Liable for Fentanyl-Laced Pill Death
- Google News: Fentanyl Overdose News
